When I first started flying regularly, my only concern was getting from A to B as cheaply as possible. That meant picking a random destination, scouring Skyscanner for the lowest fare, and accepting odd flight times to save a few euros—money I would inevitably spend at the airport anyway, since I had no lounge access.
Today, trip planning is a different beast. I rarely book return tickets, so my destination often depends on where I'm flying next. I care about seat pitch, have strong opinions on in-flight catering, and let those preferences guide my airline choices—and therefore my routes. If you're new to this world, here are some of my favourite websites for frequent flyers, with a European focus.
Planning your route: Flight Connections
If you're flexible about the destination but want a direct flight, Flight Connections is invaluable. The site displays a map of international airports worldwide; select your home base and it shows you all the destinations you can reach non-stop. The free version is useful, but a premium subscription reveals which routes are most affordable. Alternatively, you can pick a destination and then head to Google Flights or Skyscanner to hunt for deals.
This tool is especially handy for “trip-maxxing”—combining multiple cities or countries into one holiday. You can see which nearby airports offer return flights to your home base, making multi-leg itineraries easier to plan. For European travellers, this often means hopping between hubs like Frankfurt, Paris Charles de Gaulle, or Amsterdam Schiphol.
Choosing the best seat: AeroLOPA
There's nothing worse than booking a window seat only to discover there's no window—a problem that has even affected Ryanair flights, as recent incidents have shown. AeroLOPA solves this by showing the actual layout of aircraft cabins, based on the official Layout of Passenger Accommodations (LOPA). It's free to use, and with an account you can see recommendations for seats with limited recline or no underseat storage.
Scenic views: Which Side of the Plane
For flights into particularly scenic airports—think London City, Queenstown, or Honolulu—Which Side of the Plane tells you what views to expect from the left or right side of the aircraft. Enter your departure and arrival airports, and it will suggest the best side for mountain views, city skylines, or coastal approaches.
Organising your itinerary: Tripit
As trip-maxxing grows in popularity, keeping track of multiple plane, train, and bus tickets in a spreadsheet becomes unmanageable. Tripit simplifies this by letting you forward your confirmation emails to the app, which then organises all your reservations—from hotel bookings to restaurant tables—in one place. No more digging through your inbox.
Maximising your miles: a word of caution
Chasing points can become addictive. There are dedicated websites for mileage optimisation, such as Head for Points in the UK and Meilen Junkies in Germany. The best site is a matter of debate among frequent flyers, so I recommend browsing aggregators like PointsBuzz or MilesFeed, which compile the latest posts from all the major blogs.
For those looking to stretch their miles further, consider stopover programmes offered by many airlines, which allow you to add a layover city at no extra cost. And as European carriers face new passenger rights rules, it's worth staying informed about your entitlements when flights are disrupted.
Ultimately, the right tools can transform how you travel. Whether you're planning a multi-city European adventure or a long-haul journey, these websites help you fly smarter, save money, and enjoy the ride.
